Cosmetic Applicator Assembly

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic applicator assembly, which includes a polymeric brush and a twisted wire brush. Specifically, the polymeric brush comprises an elongated polymeric core and multiple polymeric tines protruding from the elongated polymeric core. The elongated polymeric core comprises a first polymeric material of a first tensile modulus, while at least some of the polymeric tines comprise a second polymeric material of a second tensile modulus that is smaller than the first tensile modulus. The twisted wire brush comprises a metal wire core and multiple bristles protruding from the metal wire core. The elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush is complementarily engaged with at least a portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush to form the cosmetic applicator assembly. The polymeric brush of the present invention is preferably formed by a bi-injection molding process.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to applicators for applying cosmetics tohuman hairs or eyelashes, and specifically to a cosmetic applicatorassembly that includes a bi-injection molded polymeric brushcomplementarily engaged with a twisted wire brush. More specifically,the bi-injection molded polymeric brush of the present inventioncomprises an elongated polymeric core formed of a first, relativelystiffer polymeric material and multiple protruding polymeric tinesformed of a second, relatively softer polymeric material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A cosmetic brush is typically used for applying cosmetic (e.g., mascaraand the like) to an application area, e.g., a user's hairs or eyelashes.Such a cosmetic brush can also be used for separating hairs or eyelashesand removing excess cosmetic therefrom.

One common type of cosmetic brush includes a twisted wire brush formedby first folding a single metallic wire into a generally U-shapedconfiguration to provide a pair of parallel wire segments, thendisposing multiple relatively soft bristles (also referred to asfilaments or fibers, which are typically formed of nylon strands)between a portion of a length of the wire segments, which holds orclamps the soft bristles securely at their midpoints, followed bytwisting or rotating the wire segments about each other, thereby forminga helical core (also known as a twisted wire core) with soft bristlesradially extending therefrom in a helical or spiral manner. The radiallyextending soft bristles jointly form a bristle portion or a bristle headof the twisted wire brush, which can be used for applying a coating ofmascara or other cosmetic onto hairs or eyelashes of a user. The softand flexible bristles of the twisted wire brush are particularlyeffective in providing a good grip over the fine hairs or eyelashes andallowing the mascara to thoroughly coat over the hairs or eyelashes.

However, the mascara-coated hairs or eyelashes have a tendency to stickto one another and form unaesthetic clumps. The above-described twistedwire brushes with soft bristles, although effective in applying mascaraonto the hairs or eyelashes, cannot sufficiently separate the clumpedhairs or eyelashes from one another. In order to eliminate or reduce theclumping, a post-application doctoring or arrangement step can becarried out to separate the clumped hairs or eyelashes, by using aseparate twisted wire brush with relatively stiff bristles or morepreferably, a separate comb with stiff teeth.

To avoid the inconvenience of having to conduct each of the applicationand doctoring/arrangement steps using separate tools, it is desirable tointegrate a twisted wire brush of soft bristles with a comb of stiffteeth to form a single cosmetic applicator. Various prior art referenceshave disclosed such integrated cosmetic applicators with differentarrangements and constructions of the twisted wire brush and the comb.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,650 discloses a cosmetic applicatorhaving a handle and a rod, while one end of the rod contains a comb withrelatively stiff teeth extending perpendicularly from one side of a baseportion, a twisted wire brush with relatively soft bristles extendingperpendicularly from the other side of the base portion, and a serratedportion at the tip of the rob. U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,857 discloses acosmetic applicator including a twisted wire brush with relatively softbristles that is bent into a closed loop, and into this loop is inserteda comb with relatively stiff teeth extending from either one side orboth sides. The teeth of the comb are offset from the bristles of thetwisted wire brush, so that the cosmetic application has a cross-sectionthat resembles either a “T” (if the comb only has teeth extending fromone side) or a “+” (if the comb has teeth extending from both sides).U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0221865 discloses a mascarabrush containing both an application brush part and an arrangement brushpart. The arrangement brush part includes a comb with relative stiffteeth formed by injection molding, while the application brush partincludes a twisted wire brush with relatively soft bristles. Thearrangement brush part and the application brush part are affixed toeach other so that the teeth of the comb are offset from the bristles ofthe twisted wire brush, thereby forming a brush head with both stiffteeth and soft bristles.

Combs in the above-described prior art integrated cosmetic applicatorsare typically formed by a single injection molding process, in which ahot molten polymer is first injected into a mold and then cooled down toform a molded article. Correspondingly, both the teeth of the comb andthe core of the comb are formed by the same polymer. Because the core ofthe comb provides structural support for the entire comb, the polymerthat forms such core has to be hard enough to provide the requiredstructural support. However, the teeth of the comb, when formed of thesame hard polymer, may be too stiff or rigid that they lose grip on thehairs or eyelashes and are not able to get between the clumped hairs oreyelashes. Correspondingly, combs of the prior art integrated cosmeticapplicators described hereinabove may not be effective in separating theclumped hairs or eyelashes.

There is therefore a continuing need for improved cosmetic applicatorsof dual functions, i.e., which can be used for performing both thecosmetic application function and the hair/eyelash arrangement function,but without the above-described drawbacks of the prior art applicators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to an integrated cosmeticapplicator assembly containing a polymeric brush and a twisted wirebrush. The polymeric brush has an elongated polymeric core and multiplepolymeric tines protruding from the elongated polymeric core. Morespecifically, the elongated polymeric core comprises a first polymericmaterial of a first tensile modulus, while at least some of thepolymeric tines comprise a second polymeric material of a second tensilemodulus that is smaller than the first tensile modulus. The twisted wirebrush comprises a metal wire core and multiple bristles protruding fromthe metal wire core. The elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brushis adapted for complementarily engaging at least a portion of the metalwire core of the twisted wire brush to form the integrated cosmeticapplicator assembly.

The integrated cosmetic applicator assembly of the present invention canbe used to effectively perform both the application function and thedoctoring/arrangement function. The twisted wire brush with relativelysoft bristles is useful for applying a liquid or semi-liquid cosmeticproduct (e.g., mascara) to human hairs or eyelashes, while the polymericbrush with relatively stiff tines (in comparison with the bristles ofthe twisted wire brush) is useful for subsequent separation andarrangement of such hairs or eyelashes. Alternatively, the polymericbrush may comprise relatively soft tines useful for applying thecosmetic product to human hairs or eyelashes, while the twisted wirebrush may comprise relative stiff bristles useful for subsequentseparation and arrangement of the hairs or eyelashes. More importantly,by forming at least some of the protruding tines of the polymeric brushwith a polymeric material (i.e., the second polymeric material)relatively softer than the polymeric material used for forming the coreof the polymeric brush (i.e., the first polymeric material), thepolymeric brush achieves a much better grip on the hairs or eyelashes,while the core of the polymeric brush can continue to provide therequired structural support so that the polymeric brush of the presentinvention can still retain its overall shape during thedoctoring/arrangement step, without significant bending or distortion.

Note that the term “complementarily engaging” or “complementarilyengaged” as used herein refers to formation of an interlockingrelationship between two or more complementary elements or structures.Further, the term “polymer” or “polymeric” as used herein refers to anymaterial, composition, structure, or article that comprises one or morepolymers, which can be homopolymers, copolymers, or polymer blends.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a polymeric cosmeticbrush for use in combination with a twisted wire cosmetic brush. Suchpolymeric cosmetic brush contains an elongated polymeric core having alongitudinal axis and multiple polymeric tines protruding from theelongated polymeric core. The elongated polymeric core comprises a firstpolymeric material of a first tensile modulus, while at least some ofthe polymeric tines comprise a second polymeric material of a secondtensile modulus that is less than the first tensile modulus. Theelongated polymeric core further comprises one or more protrusionsand/or recesses adapted for complementarily engaging one or morecorresponding portions of a twisted wire brush.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to simply apolymeric cosmetic brush comprising an elongated polymeric core having alongitudinal axis and multiple polymeric tines protruding from theelongated polymeric core, such elongated polymeric core comprising afirst polymeric material of a first tensile modulus, while at least someof the polymeric tines comprising a second polymeric material of asecond tensile modulus that is less than the first tensile modulus.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of makinga cosmetic applicator assembly, comprising:

forming a polymeric brush comprising an elongated polymeric core andmultiple polymeric tines protruding from the elongated polymeric core,wherein the elongated polymeric core comprises a first polymericmaterial of a first tensile modulus, wherein at least some of thepolymeric tines comprise a second polymeric material of a second tensilemodulus that is less than the first tensile modulus, wherein theelongated polymeric core further comprises one or more protrusionsand/or recesses adapted for complementarily engaging one or morecorresponding portions of a twisted wire brush;

forming a twisted wire brush comprising a metal wire core and multiplebristles protruding from the metal wire core; and

complementarily engaging the elongated polymeric core of the polymericbrush with one or more portions of the twisted wire brush to form thecosmetic applicator assembly.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the polymeric brush as describedhereinabove is formed by a bi-injection molding process, in which two ormore different polymeric materials are simultaneously injection moldedto form one article.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary polymeric brush, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the exemplary polymeric brush of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a representative or schematic cross-sectional view of theexemplary polymeric brush of FIGS. 1A and 1B, along the line A-A in FIG.1B.

FIG. 2A is a side view of an exemplary twisted wire brush, according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a representative or schematic cross-sectional view of theexemplary twisted wire brush of FIG. 2A, along the line B-B.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a cosmetic applicator assembly formed bycomplementarily engaging the polymeric brush of FIGS. 1A-1C with thetwisted wire brush of FIGS. 2A-2B, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the cosmetic applicator assembly ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a representative or schematic cross-sectional view of thecosmetic applicator assembly of FIGS. 3A-3B, alone the line C-C in FIG.3A.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a cosmetic package comprising the cosmeticapplicator assembly of FIGS. 3A-3C as mounted on one end of a rod, whilea cap is mounted at the other end of the rod and adapted forcomplementarily engaging a neck portion of a cosmetic container,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5-6 are perspective views of exemplary polymeric brushes withpolymeric tines of alternative shapes, according to alternativeembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an exemplary polymeric brush havingcurved polymeric tines, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7B illustrates the relative positions of two representative tinesof the exemplary polymeric brush of FIG. 7A, as located adjacent to eachother in the same row.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth,such as particular structures, components, materials, and dimensions, inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.However, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe invention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known structures, components, materials, or dimensionsmay be described in less detail here in order to avoid obscuringelements of the present invention.

As mentioned hereinabove, the present invention provides an integratedcosmetic applicator assembly containing both a twisted wire brush and abi-injection molded polymeric brush. Specifically, the bi-injectionmolded polymeric brush of the present invention contains an elongatedpolymeric core formed of a first, relatively stiff polymeric materialand multiple protruding polymeric tines formed of a second, relativelysoft polymeric material. The softer tines of such a bi-injection moldedpolymeric brush are believed to provide a much better grip on the hairsor eyelashes and is therefore more effective in separating clumped hairsor eyelashes, while the stiff core of such a bi-injection moldedpolymeric brush can continue to provide the required structural support,so that the polymeric brush of the present invention can still retainits overall shape during the doctoring/arrangement step, withoutsignificant bending or distortion.

FIGS. 1A-1C shows various views of a bi-injection molded polymeric brush1, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thebi-injection molded polymeric brush 1 includes a handle portion 10 and abrush head portion 20. The brush head portion 20 has an elongatedpolymeric core 24 and multiple polymeric tines 26, which protrudeperpendicularly from the elongated polymeric core 24.

Specifically, the elongated polymeric core 24 is formed of a first,relatively stiff polymeric material, while at least some (and preferablyall) of the multiple polymeric tines 26 are formed of a second,relatively soft polymeric material. The first, relatively stiffpolymeric material can be characterized by a first tensile moduluspreferably ranging from about 800 MPa to about 3000 MPa, while thesecond, relatively soft polymeric material can be characterized by asecond tensile modulus that is less than the first tensile modulus,which preferably ranges from about 35 MPa to about 1200 MPa. Morepreferably, the first tensile modulus ranges from about 1000 MPa toabout 2000 MPa, and the second tensile modulus ranges from about 95 MPato about 570 MPa. Most preferably, the first tensile modulus ranges fromabout 1250 MPa to about 1600 MPa, and the second tensile modulus rangesfrom about 200 MPa to about 280 MPa. Exemplary polymers that can be usedas the first polymeric material in the present invention include, butare not limited to: ethylene-propylene diene monomer or EDPM rubber,ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylonitrile polymers, polyamide,polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethylmethacrylate, polyolefins (such as, for example, polyethylene andpolypropylene), polyoxymethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, andacrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Exemplary polymers that can be used asthe second polymeric material in the present invention include, but arenot limited to: silicone elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers (such as,for example, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene or SEBS block copolymer),vinyl elastomers (such as ethyl vinyl acetate or EVA), thermoplasticpolyester elastomers (such as those commercialized under the trademarkHytrel® by Du Pontde Nemours), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers(such as those commercialized under the trademark Pellethane® by DowChemical Company), acrylonitrile polymers, and ethylene propylene dienemonomer or EDPM rubber. It is important to note that the list ofpolymeric materials provided hereinabove are only for illustrationpurposes, and any other suitable polymeric material known in the art canbe used in place of or in combination with the above-listed materials.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first polymericmaterial is polypropylene, and the second polymeric material is asilicone elastomer or a thermoplastic polyester elastomer. In analternative embodiment, the first polymeric material is polycarbonate oracrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and the second polymeric material is athermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. In a further alternativeembodiment, the first polymeric material is polyoxymethylene, and thesecond polymeric material is a thermoplastic polyester elastomer.

The elongated polymeric core 24 of the polymeric brush 1 may compriseone or more protrusions and/or recesses for complementarily engaging oneor more corresponding portions of a metal wire core of a twisted wirebrush. On one hand, the term “protrusion” as used herein broadly coversany protruding structure, which includes, but is not limited to: clips,hooks, spikes, nodes, lugs, pins, and tabs. On the other hand, the term“recess” as used herein broadly covers any recessing structure, whichincludes, but is not limited to: surface openings (such as grooves, pitsor holes), loops, bores, central lumens, and clearances. For example,the elongated polymeric core 24 may comprise a surface groove thatextends along the longitudinal axis of the polymeric core 24, and atleast one portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush canbe inserted into such surface groove, as described by U.S. Pat. No.3,921,650, the content of which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes. The elongated polymeric core 24 may comprisean annular surface groove, and at least one portion of the metal wirecore of the twisted wire brush forms a loop that is adapted to engagesuch annular surface groove of the elongated polymeric core 24, asdescribed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,857, the content of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Preferably,but not necessarily, the elongated polymeric core 24 contains a centrallumen 22 with at least one opening at one side of the elongatedpolymeric core 24, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. Such a central lumen22 may extend through the entire length of the elongated polymeric core24, or it may extend only through a portion thereof and close at adistal end 24T of the polymeric core 24, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B. Theopening in the central lumen 22 is preferably characterized by an angleα (shown in FIG. 1C), which ranges from about 1° to about 90°, morepreferably from about 15° to about 75°, and most preferably from about30° to about 60°.

The handle portion 10 of the exemplary polymeric brush 1 includes acentral lumen 12 that connects with the central lumen 22 of theelongated polymeric core 24. Further, the central lumen 12 has a narrowaperture or slit 14 that also connects with the opening of the centrallumen 22 of the elongated polymeric core 24. The central lumens 12 and22 in the polymeric brush 1 are adapted for accommodating the metal wirecore of a twisted wire brush, with which the polymeric brush 1 is to becomplementarily engaged. The slit 14 at the handle portion 10 allows thesoft bristles of the twisted wire brush to pass through the handleportion 10 with little or no bending, and the opening of the centrallumen 22 in the elongated polymeric core 24 accommodates the softbristles of the twisted wire brush and allow them to fully extendoutward from the elongated polymeric core 24.

FIG. 2A shows the side view of an exemplary twisted wire brush 2, withwhich the polymeric brush 1 of FIGS. 1A-1C is to be complementarilyengaged. Specifically, the twisted wire brush 2 includes a metal wirecore 30, which is formed by folding a single metallic wire into aU-shape to provide a pair of parallel wire segments, and then twistingor rotating the pair of wire segments about each other in a helicalmanner. The twisted wire brush 2 also includes multiple soft andflexible bristles 42 and 44 of different lengths, which extend radiallyfrom the metal wire core 30. Specifically, the longer bristles 42 arearranged at one side of the metal wire core 30, while the shorterbristles 44 are arranged at the other side of the metal wire core 30, asshown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B. More specifically, whenviewed at the cross-section, the longer bristles 42 jointly form afan-shaped configuration around the metal wire core 30, and suchconfiguration is preferably characterized by an angle that is the sameas the angle α shown in FIG. 1C.

Correspondingly, the twisted wire brush 2 of FIG. 2A-2B can becomplementarily engaged with the polymeric brush 1 of FIG. 1A-1C to forma cosmetic applicator assembly 3, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. Specifically,the shorter bristles 44 and the metal wire core 30 of the twisted wirebrush 2 can fit into the central lumen 22 of the polymeric brush 1,while the longer bristles 42 of the twisted wire brush 2 can fullyextend outward from the opening of the central lumen 22 of the polymericbrush 1. The metal wire core 30 of the twisted wire brush 22 may extendalong the entire length of the polymeric brush 1 through the centrallumens 22 and 12 of the polymeric brush 1 and further outwards. Theresulting cosmetic applicator assembly 3 therefore has the polymerictines 26 on one side and the soft bristles 42 on the other side, asshown in FIG. 3C.

It is important to note that the above-described specific configurationsfor complementarily engaging the elongated polymeric core of thepolymeric brush and the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush areonly described herein for illustrative purposes. Such specificconfigurations should not be construed in any manner as limiting thebroad scope of the present invention, and any other means or arrangementthat is obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art forcomplementarily engaging the elongated polymeric core of the polymericbrush and the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush is also readilycovered by the present invention.

The polymeric tines of the polymeric brush may be formed of either thesame or different polymeric materials. In a specific embodiment of thepresent invention, all of the protruding polymeric tines of thepolymeric brush comprise the second, relatively soft polymeric material.In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, some of theprotruding polymeric tines of the polymeric brush comprise the second,relatively soft polymeric material, while other tines may comprise thefirst, relatively stiff polymeric material that is used to form theelongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush. In a furtheralternative embodiment of the present invention, some of the protrudingpolymeric tines may even comprise a third polymeric material that isdifferent from the first and second polymeric materials. Such differentpolymeric tines of different compositions can be arranged in anyconfigurations with respective to one another, either randomly or intoan orderly pattern. For example, the polymeric tines of the samecomposition may be arranged into one or more straight rows that aresubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongatedpolymeric core of the polymeric brush, or into one or more spirals thatwind around the longitudinal axis of the elongated polymeric core. Notethat the term “substantially perpendicular” or “substantially parallel”as used herein refers to less than 10 degrees of deviation from aperpendicular or parallel direction.

The polymeric brush of the present invention may have tines of any size,shape, and spacing suitable for its intended functions, e.g.,application, arrangement, and/or separation of human hairs or eyelashes.Preferably, but not necessarily, the tines of the polymeric brush of thepresent invention have an average height ranging from about 0.1 mm toabout 10 mm, more preferably from about 0.5 mm to about 7 mm, and mostpreferably from about 0.8 mm to about 5 mm. The average cross-sectionaldiameter of the polymeric tines preferably ranges from about 0.1 mm toabout 2 mm, more preferably from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm, and mostpreferably from about 0.3 mm to about 0.9 mm. The polymeric brushpreferably has cylinder-shape tines with tapered ends, as shown in FIGS.1A-3C. Alternatively, the polymeric brush may have spike-shapedpolymeric tines 26′, as shown in FIG. 5. For a further example, thepolymeric brush of the present invention may have fin-shaped polymerictines 26″, as shown in FIG. 6. Note that the polymeric tines of thepolymeric brush can either have the same size and/or shape, or havedifferent sizes and/or shapes. The tines can be spaced or arranged inany suitable manner. For example, the tines can be arranged intostraight rows that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axisof the polymeric brush (as shown in the drawing figures describedhereinabove), or zigzagged rows with center lines substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis of the polymeric brush, or spiral rows thatwind around the longitudinal axis of the polymeric brush. Preferably,but not necessarily, the polymeric tines can be arranged substantiallyperpendicular to the surfaces of the elongated polymeric core of thepolymeric brush, as shown in the above-described drawings.Alternatively, the tines can be tilted or slanted from the surfaces ofthe elongated polymeric core by any angle ranging from about 5 degreesto about 85 degrees. For example, tines in the same row may curve orbend in such a manner that top portions of adjacent tines in the samerow are curved away from each other with respect to the center line ofthe row, as described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,610, the content of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes,and as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Specifically, tines 126A and 126Bin the same row 124 can be curved away from each other with respect tothe center line of the row 124 (as indicated by the dotted line).

The cosmetic applicator assembly as described hereinabove may furthercomprise one or more optional components, such as, for example, a cap 54and a rod 52 that extends from the cap 54, as shown in FIG. 4. The rod52 may contain a recess or protrusion adapted for complementarilyengaging the handle portion 10 of the polymeric brush 1 and the metalwire core 30 of the twisted wire brush 2. The cap 54 is adapted forcomplementarily engaging a neck portion 62 of a cosmetic container 60that contains therein a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic, such as mascara.Preferably, but not necessarily, the cap 54 contains internal threads(not shown), and the neck portion 62 of the container 60 containsexternal threads 64 that are complementary to the internal threads ofthe cap 54, so that the cap 54 can be screwed onto the container 60 in aleak-tight manner. Note that other affixation means or mechanisms,either mechanical or adhesive-based, can be readily used for affixing orotherwise engaging the cap 54 with the neck portion 62 of the container60. The neck portion 62 of the container 60 may also contain one or moreinternal wiper structures (not shown) for removing excess cosmetic fromthe cosmetic applicator assembly 3 when the cosmetic applicator assemblyis being removed from the container 60.

The polymeric brush of the present invention, as described hereinabove,can be readily formed by a bi-injection molding process, in which twodifferent thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers are injection-moldedtogether to form a single article, i.e., the polymeric brush of thepresent invention. First, a first polymer with a relatively high tensilemodulus can be melted and injected at high pressure into a first mold,which preferably contains two or more solid parts that arecomplementarily engaged with one another to define at least a firstcavity therein. The first cavity may correspond to the desired shape ofthe elongated polymeric core to be formed. After a cooling periodsufficient to allow the molten first polymer to solidify (eithercompletely or partially), the two or more solid parts of the first moldare disengaged from one another to expose an elongated polymeric coreformed by the solidified first polymer. The elongated polymeric core soformed is then transferred into a second mold, which also contains twoor more solid parts complementarily engaged with one another to definecavities that not only accommodate the elongated polymeric core alreadyformed, but also define the desired shapes of the polymeric tines to beformed. A second polymer with a relatively low tensile modulus,preferably already melted, can be injected at high pressure into thesecond mold. After the molten second polymer cools down and solidifies(either completely or partially), the two or more solid parts of thesecond mold are disengaged from one another, thereby exposing multiplepolymeric tines that have been molded over the elongated polymeric coreto form the polymeric brush of the present invention. In a particularpreferred embodiment of the present invention, the time interval betweenthe first and second molding step is relatively short, e.g., less than20 minutes, more preferably less than 10 minutes, and most preferablyless than 2 minutes, so that the surface of the elongated polymeric coreis still hot from the first molding step when the second moldingcommences. In this manner, the surface energy of the elongated polymericcore remains relatively high when the molten second polymer is injectedinto the second mold, which allows the second polymer to readily adhereto the surface of the elongated polymeric core. The polymeric tines cantherefore be adhered to the surface of the elongated polymeric corewithout the need for any adhesive. Alternatively, the surface of theelongated polymeric core may contain any suitable patterns (e.g.,recesses or grooves) for increasing the adhesion or attachment betweenthe polymeric tines and the elongated polymeric core.

While the present invention has been described hereinabove withreference to specific embodiments, features and aspects, it will berecognized that the invention is not thus limited, but rather extends inutility to other modifications, variations, applications, andembodiments, and accordingly all such other modifications, variations,applications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A cosmetic applicator assembly comprising a polymeric brush and atwisted wire brush, wherein the polymeric brush comprises an elongatedpolymeric core and multiple polymeric tines protruding from saidelongated polymeric core, wherein said elongated polymeric corecomprises a first polymeric material of a first tensile modulus, whereinat least some of the polymeric tines comprise a second polymericmaterial of a second tensile modulus that is less than the first tensilemodulus, wherein the twisted wire brush comprises a metal wire core andmultiple bristles protruding from said metal wire core, and wherein theelongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush is complementarilyengaged with at least a portion of the metal wire core of the twistedwire brush to form the cosmetic applicator assembly.
 2. The cosmeticapplicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tensile modulus rangesfrom about 800 MPa to about 3000 MPa, and wherein the second tensilemodulus ranges from about 35 MPa to about 1200 MPa.
 3. The cosmeticapplicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first polymeric material isselected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene diene monomerrubber, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylonitrile polymers,polyamide, polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate,polymethyl methacrylate, polyolefins, polyethylene, polypropylene,polyoxymethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile butadienestyrene, and wherein the second polymeric material is selected from thegroup consisting of silicone elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers,styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, vinyl elastomers,thermoplastic polyester elastomers and thermoplastic polyurethaneelastomers.
 4. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein theelongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush comprises one or moreprotrusions and/or recesses adapted for complementarily engaging one ormore corresponding portions of the metal wire core of the twisted wirebrush.
 5. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 4, wherein theelongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush comprises at least onesurface groove extending along its longitudinal axis, and wherein atleast one portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush isinserted into the surface groove of the elongated polymeric core.
 6. Thecosmetic applicator assembly of claim 4, wherein the elongated polymericcore of the polymeric brush comprises an annular groove, and wherein atleast one portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush formsa loop that is adapted to engage the annular groove of the elongatedpolymeric core.
 7. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 4, whereinthe elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush comprises a centrallumen with at least one opening at one side of the elongated polymericcore, wherein at least one portion of the metal wire core of the twistedwire brush is inserted into the central lumen, and wherein some of thebristles of the twisted wire brush extend outward through the at leastone opening of the central lumen of the elongated polymeric core of thepolymeric brush.
 8. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 1, whereinall of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush comprise the secondpolymeric material.
 9. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 1,wherein some of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush comprise thesecond polymeric material, and wherein others comprise the firstpolymeric material.
 10. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 9,wherein those polymeric tines comprising the first polymeric materialare arranged into one or more rows substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the elongated polymeric core.
 11. The cosmeticapplicator assembly of claim 9, wherein those polymeric tines comprisingthe first polymeric material are arranged into one or more spiralswinding around the longitudinal axis of the elongated polymeric core.12. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein some of thepolymeric tines of the polymeric brush comprise the second polymericmaterial, and wherein others comprise a third polymeric material havinga third tensile modulus that is different from the first and secondtensile moduli.
 13. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 1, whereinsome of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush have a cylindricalshape with a tapered end.
 14. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim1, wherein some of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush have aspiky shape.
 15. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 1, whereinsome of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush have a fin shape witha tapered end.
 16. The cosmetic applicator assembly of claim 1, whereinthe polymeric tines of the polymeric brush are arranged into one or morerows that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of theelongated polymeric core, wherein some of the polymeric tines are curvedin such a manner that top portions of adjacent tines in the same row arecurved away from each other with respect to the row.
 17. The cosmeticapplicator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cap and a rod thatextends from the cap, wherein the cap is adapted for complementarilyengaging a neck portion of a cosmetic container.
 18. A polymericcosmetic brush for use in combination with a twisted wire cosmeticbrush, said polymeric cosmetic brush comprising an elongated polymericcore having a longitudinal axis and multiple polymeric tines protrudingfrom said elongated polymeric core, wherein the elongated polymeric corecomprises a first polymeric material of a first tensile modulus, whereinat least some of the polymeric tines comprise a second polymericmaterial of a second tensile modulus that is less than the first tensilemodulus, and wherein the elongated polymeric core further comprises oneor more protrusions and/or recesses adapted for complementarily engagingone or more corresponding portions of a twisted wire cosmetic brush. 19.A method of making a cosmetic applicator assembly, comprising: forming apolymeric brush comprising an elongated polymeric core and multiplepolymeric tines protruding from said elongated polymeric core, whereinsaid elongated polymeric core comprises a first polymeric material of afirst tensile modulus, wherein at least some of the polymeric tinescomprise a second polymeric material of a second tensile modulus that isless than the first tensile modulus, and wherein said elongatedpolymeric core further comprises one or more protrusions and/or recessesadapted for complementarily engaging one or more corresponding portionsof a twisted wire brush; forming a twisted wire brush comprising a metalwire core and multiple bristles protruding from said metal wire core;and complementarily engaging the elongated polymeric core of thepolymeric brush with one or more portions of the twisted wire brush toform said cosmetic applicator assembly.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the polymeric brush is formed by a bi-injection molding process.